of leavenworth



Oct. 8, 1929; UNDERWOOD 1,730,986

' COOKING TOP FOR RANGES Filed Dec. 19, 1928 w 2 4 J a .7 W H 6 r 49 1 H Mi 0 r 1 I H {/5 /4- FTR. h V V V 4+ llllll"llllllf"llllll"lllllllll' I ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEQE JOHN A. UNDERWOOD, F LEAVENVORTI-I, KANSAS, ASSIGNOB TO GREAT WESTERN STOVE COMPANY, OF LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, A CORPORATION CF KANSAS COOKING TOP FOR RANGES Application filed December 19, 1828. Serial No. 327,136.

This invention relates to cooking tops for ranges, the principal object of the invention being to provide a shield forming a part of the cooking top for concealing the burner valves and fuel supply manifold thereby enhancing the appearance and sanitary prop erties of the stove.

It is a further object of the invention to make the shield a secure rigid part of the cooking top and to provide for instant removal of the shield when the burner valves and air mixers are to be cleaned and adjusted.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the cooking top of a gas range constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the shield forming a part of the cooking top as being re moved from the range.

2. Fig. 3 is a rear View of the shield particularly illustrating the latches for securing the shield on the range.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of an end portion of the shield showing the latch in spaced relation.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through a portion of the shield and side frame of the cooking top, particularly illustrating the latch.

Referring in detail to the drawings:

1 designates the cooking top of a or like range including side plates 2 and 3 for supporting top grates 4 and 5 over the burners 6. A gas manifold pipe 7 extends across the front of the cooking top and is supported in loops 8 bolted to the forward ends of the side plates 2 and 3, and threaded into the under side of the manifold are a plurality of gas valves 9 for controlling flow of gas to the burners. The stems 10 of the valves extend forwardly from the cooking top and are provided with key shaped handles or the like 11 by which the valves may be turned on and off to control supply of gas to the burners.

12 designates a shield embodying my invention and which is supported on the forward ends of the side plates to complete the cooking top. The shield 12 forms the front of the cooking top and extends entirely across the front thereof and comprises a horizontal table portion 13 and a vertical apron portion lt depending from the front edge of the hori- Zontal portion to enclose the burner valves, the apron being provided with downwardly opening slots 15 to receive the valve stems and expose the actuating keys as shown in Fig. 1.

The joining edge of the horizontal portion and the apron is preferably rounded as at 16 and the shield is provided at its outer end Vltll an integral web portion 17 which conforms to a continuation of the depending flange portion 18 of the side plate 8.

The top faces of the side plates are preferably inset at their ends as a 19 and 20, a depth equal to the thickness of the horizontal portion of the shield to provide a smooth flat peripheral face for the cooking top. The innor edge of the shield is also provided with a supporting rail 21 which extends between the side plates for supporting the forward portions of the grates.

In ord r to retain the shield in secure position on the side plates and at the same time provide for its ready removal, I provide latches now oescribed.

The ends of the rail 21 are provided with widened portions 22 and 23 provided on their under faces with latch seats 24: comprising lugs 25 cast integrally with the shield, the lugs having recessed faces 26 inclined toward the ends of the shield for receiving spring latches 27. i

The latches 27 are preferably formed of flat spring strips and comprise hook shaped portions 28 and securing portions 29 receivable in the recesses. The portions 29 and the rail are provided with aligning apertures 30 and 31 through which bolts 32 are projected to secure the latches in position on the shield.

The hooked portions 28 are formed by bending the strips at substantially right angles to the portions 29 and then upwardly at an acute angle to provide inclined portions and. the end of the strip is bent inwardly to provide a latching lip 3a for engaging in clined faces 35 of 35 extending from the side plates adjacent the ends of the rail 21 as best shown in Fig. 5.

In applying the shield to the cooking top, the shield is positioned over the valve stems 10 so that the stems are received in the slots 15 with the keys projecting therethrough. The inclined portions 33 01" the latches then engage the inner side edges 35 of the side plate lugs 36 and as the shield is pushed into position, the latches move inwardly until the lips 34 have passed the lugs whereupon they springoutwardly to latch the shield to the side plates as shown in Fig. 5.

When it is desired to remove the shield, the shield may be lifted upwardly so that the latches are moved inwardly by the inclined faces of thelugs 36 p'ermittingthe latches to pass the lugs and free the shield.

Since the shield constitutes the front of the cooking top, its removal directly exposes the valves, mixers, and manifold for ready adjust-merit and repair, as there is no part of the cooking .top then obstructing access to the burner valves and related parts.

lVith the latches constructed as described, the shield is yieldingly retained in functional position to permit ready removal of the shield, but the latches also securely retain the shield against rocking movement and dis placement with relation to the cooking top of the range.

What I claim and desire-to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. A cooking top for ranges comprising side plates, grates supported by the side plates, a front member supported by the side plates in front of the grates,-latches attached to the under side of the front member and having lips for engagingthe side plates.

2. In combination withthe cooking top'o'f a range and the burner valves therefor, a shield for concealing the valves comprising ahorizontal portion forming the front of the cooking top and an apron portion having slots to receive actuating stems for the valves and means for latching the shield to the cooking top.

3. A cooking top for gas ranges comprising fixed side plates, a shield supported by the side plates having recesses on its under face, spring latch clips receivable in the recesses and having lips for engaging the side plates.

l. lncombination with the cooking tog ot' a gas range having side plates provided with inclined latch engaging portions, a shield supported by theside plates and spring clips fixed to the shield having inclined lip vortions for engaging the inclined portions on the side plates.

5. A cooking top for gas and like ranges comprising fixed side plates, grates supported by the side plates, and a removable front member supported by the side plates for cooperating with the Side plates in supporting the grates,

6. A cooking top for gas and like ranges comprising fixed side plates, grates supported by the side plates, a removable member supported by the side plates for cooperating with the side plates in supporting the grates and means for latching the removable member to the side plates.

7. A cooking top for gas and like ranges comprising fixed side plates, grates supported by the side plates, a removable member supported by the side plates for cooperating with the side plates in supporting the grates and frictional means for latching the removable member to the side plates.

8. In combination with a range and the burner valves therefor, a cooking top comprising spaced plates, grids supported by the plates, a removable member supported by the said plates, an apron depending from the removable member for concealing the burner valves and means for latching the removable member to the said plates.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

JOHN A. UNDERWOOD,

its 

